I don't know about you, but I'm knee deep in these Gospels, and it is better than laetificants. Or perhaps something more normal sounding for those of you living in Normalville USA. Me? I like living in a land where an author can use words like humbuggery and pettifogger without getting weird looks, head scratching, or causing Google searches for those words to increase 18000%. If you've been reading the campaign book, Jesus The Same, you know what I'm talking about. I can't wait to see what crazy words he slips in next chapter. Abligurition? Balbutiate? Gadzookery?
This week we've been in Mark, and I thought I'd share one particular passage that struck me. You really need to read the passage first, though, and it's a lot of text, so read at your own risk of clocking in late from your lunch break.
Here we have this man who clearly loves his child, saving him from death on occasions when the demon within acted up and who, with tears in his eyes, begs for healing. There's passion in his request and his heart clearly yearns for his son to be cured. He obviously believed Jesus could heal him, hence the whole reason he came, but notice how he petitions Jesus for help; "But if you can do anything..." We all know He can, and He almost seems to be like "Really? If I can do anything?" in response. (Check the NIV and NASB translations for more of that vibe.) He then challenges the man and reiterates the power of belief, to which the man makes a simple request that hits so close to home at times: "Help my unbelief!"
Whether this man had doubts do to a hard life of challenges and near-death experiences which had worn him down, or doubts from Jesus' Disciples who probably had a reputation for doing extraordinary things but had failed to cast out the demon, or just do to typical human skepticism of miracles, I don't know. What we do know, however, is that his heart was genuine in its desire for his son to be healed, and he knew Jesus held the best odds of helping him. And isn't that so much like us at times?
Don't we sometimes doubt a situation can be helped, cured, taken away, lessened or changed because we've had so many failed attempts throughout our life? Or perhaps because other Christians, Jesus' Disciples, have let us down or been unsuccessful in helping us and now we wonder if God still can? Yet, when we find our belief lacking, doesn't our heart still know deep down that God can solve the problem and take away that burden? Let's take hope from this scripture.
Let's follow this man's lead. With sincerity in our petition, not bitterness from the situation, with humility realizing God can resolve it no matter how large it is and even if we and others have failed, and while acknowledging our need for assistance with our unbelief, let's present our request before God. Take comfort knowing that those who ask, seek, and knock will receive, find, and have it opened; that if we can give good gifts, how much greater God's will be, and if we are persistent, knocking and knocking and knocking, our needs will be taken care of. (Luke 11)
Belief is powerful and unbelief is detrimental. But thankfully with God all things are possible, and a sincere heart can trump a lacking faith.
Brett "If spellchecker has dropped the word you're using out of its nearly unlimited index of words because it's so old, it's time to let it go" Hibbler
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